Emergency cut-out for automobile ignition circuits



March 5, 1940. c. A. GRIESEDIECK EMERGENCY CUT-OUT FOR AUTOMOBILE IGNITION CIRCUITS Filed May 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1940- C.A. GRIESEDIECK 2,192,262

EMERGENCY CUT-OUT FOR AUTOMOBILE IGNITION CIRCUITS Filed May 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 5, 1940 I 2,192,262

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EMERGENCY CUT-OUT FOR AUTOMOBILE IGNITION CIRCUITS Carl A. Griesedieck, St. Louis, Mo.

Application May 27, 1938, Serial No. 210,354 10 Claims. (01. 123 14e.5)

This invention relates to emergency cut-outs Figure '7 is a vertical cross section of a modified for automobile ignition circuits. form o y Switch.

In an automobile accident when the car is up- Figure 8 is a vertical cross section of another set or turned on one side there is often danger of modified form of my switch.

firedue to the spilled gasoline being set on fire Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing my 6 by the electric sparks produced by the ignition invention used in connection with the main igcircuit- Generally the driver and other occu-' nition switch.

pants of the car are too excited or even injured Figure is a similar view but showing the igand will not or cannot turn ofi the ignition cirnition circuit disconnected by the auxiliary cir- 10. cuit immediately after the accident. cuit. 10

One of the main objects of the invention is to Referring by numerals to the accompanying provide a simple and eflicient device for autodrawings, and particularly to Figure 1, I0 indimatically opening the ignition circuit when the cates an ignition coil having one terminal concar is turned over or on one side or occupies a, nected by awire H to a distributor l2 and having 16 dangerous angular position. the other terminal connected by a wire [3 to a 5 Another object of the invention is to provide contact 14 Of a switch i5. Another wire [5 exan emergency cut-out for automobile ignition tends from contact I! of Switch l5 to a batcircuits wherein the connection between spacedy apart contacts is obtained by a suitable conduct- AS Shown in Figures 2 and s Switch I5 ing liquid or mobile body which is confined in a comprises a bu container '9 o glass, p a 20 h b comparatively n in cross ti l tic or other suitable non-conducting or insulating area, and is prevented from splashing from said material. Under normal driving conditions, the chamber and moving away from one or both of the container [9 occupies a vertical position. said contacts when the ear turns a corner or The lower end 20 0f the container fOIlnS a chamdrives over uneven or rough road, thereby pre- 2| Which is comparatively Small in Cross 25 venting said ignition circuit from being disabled Sectional area. While the pp Portion 22 o said during normal driving operations of said car. container forms a c amber 23 whichls of com- Another object of the invention is to provide Paratively large diameter- Preferably e s de or an emergency cut-out in which the conducting P p a Wall 20a o Chamber 2| Slightly tapers 3o liquid is contained in a comparatively small downwardly. 3o chamber formed in the lower end of a vertically A col ar or Sleeve 24 is fixed in chamber 2| disposed container in engagement with a pair of against the Wall 206! d term nates a short dis spaced-apart contacts arranged in said chamber ttime 0f the pp end of s d Well. The collar and which is adapted drain into a larger cham- 24 is preferably split longitudinally, as indicated as her iormed'in the upper end of said container in order to permit the insertion thereof as when said container is tilted from its vertical i the tapered chamber A rod fi position past a predetermined angular position axially through the chamber 2| and has its lower with these and other objects in View my end extendingthrough and secured to the bottom vention consists in certain novel features of conwall 20b of Sam chamber 40 struction and arrangement of parts hereinafter upper end of thls pm 01 md termmates slightly above the upper end of wall 20 and has more fully descnbedand claimed, and illustrated fixed thereto [a horizontally disposed disk 26 m t accoinpamfmg drawnigs which forms'a partial closure or anti-'splasher Figure 1 1s a f showing the for the upper end of said chamber 2|. Prefer- -P SWItPh the lgmtmn F ably'this disk is of smaller diameter than the Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross section diameter f the upper end of Said chamber 2| 0f the Switchso that aclearance exists therebetween. Sub- Fi u e 3 s a similar view but showmg the stantially filling said chamber 2| is a suitable w tc in a tilted POSitiOII- conducting liquid or mobile body, such as mer- Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section taken on eury 21, hich being'in engagement with collar 5 line 44 of Figure 2. 24 and pin 25 maintains electrical connection Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line therebetween. 5-5 of Figure 2. Contact I4 is arranged on the wall 20 in en- Figure 6 is a modified form of ananti-splasher gagement with collar 24 and establishes connecin my switch. tion between wire [3 and said collar. Contact 55 I7 is formed on the lower projecting end of pin 25 and establishes connection between said pin and wire l6. Collar 24 and pin 25 are formed of suitable conducting material, such as copper or brass, and are at all times in spaced-apart insulated relation with each other. The bottom wall 28b of chamber 2| is preferably formed removable and is screw-seated or otherwise secured in position.

When the car turns over or on one side, or occupies a position at a dangerous angle, the switch accordingly occupies upsidedown position or on one side or is disposed at an angle whereby the conducting liquid or body 21 is.

automatically caused to drain out of chamber 2| into the large chamber 23, thereby breaking the connection between collar 24 and rod 25 and opening the ignition circuit. The position of the disk or anti-splasher prevents splashing of the liquid from chamber 2| into chamber 23 so that said liquid or mercury is maintained under normal conditions in said chamber 2| and in engagement with the contact elements 24 and 25.

In the form shown in Figure 7 the pin 28 extends upwardly from lower chamber 29 through the upper chamber 30 and outwardly through an opening 3| formed in the upper end of said chamber 30. A cap 32 carried by the upper end of said pin 28 closes said opening 3|. The lower end of said pin extends downwardly and outwardly through the bottom wall 29a of chamber 28 and is screw-threaded to receive a nut 33 by which said pin is attached in position. In this construction the bottom wall 29a is formed integral with the peripheral wall of chamber 29 and the parts are introduced into the container through the opening 32.

The container forming chambers 29 and 30 may be of bulbous shape, as in the preceding form. The disk 34 may bear on top of the collar 35 and is provided with apertures 34a.

In the form shown in Figure 8 the container 38 is of a tubular shape and one or both end walls 31 may be removable. In all of the forms the container, as well as the removable end walls, are made of insulating material. Only the contact members, such as 24 and 25, are formed of metal and are held in insulated spaced relation with each other and the circuit is completed only when the conducting liquid or body, such as mercury 21, is in contact with both contact members.

The device may be interposed anywhere in the ignition circuit, preferably between the battery and the coil.

It may be attached in position on the car at any suitable point, such as the dashboard or under the hood. Where the container is placed in the wire connection between the battery and the ignition coil the preferred point of attachment would be the strap holding the coil or any other location near said coil.

It is essential that the device is installed in a vertical position on the car, with contact chamber 2| forming the lower chamber and the mercury 21 engaging contacts 24 and 25.

The comparatively small cross sectional area of chamber 2| and its elongation in a vertical plane and the provision of the disk or antisplasher 26 tend to confine the mercury in said chamber and prevent splashing thereof when driving over rough roads. This eliminates the danger of the mercury moving out of contact with said contact member and the subsequent interruption of the ignition circuit.

The disk or anti-splasher may be of smaller diameter, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, at 26, to provide suitable opening for the mercury to run from one chamber to the other, or it may fit close in the lower chamber, as shown at 26a in Figure 6, and have notches 28b cut in the edge to provide the drain openings, or apertures can be formed in the disk, as shown in Figure '7. In order to prevent accidental or unauthorized closing of the ignition circuit, when once broken by the tilting of member 5, I provide an auxiliary circuit 38 for operating a switch 39. The latter is interposed in connection l8 of the ignition circuit and is normally closed, when operated into an open position, and breaks said ignition circuit. The circuit 38 consists of a connection 40 extending from the negative pole of the battery l8 to a terminal ring or piece 4| and a connection 42 extending from the positive pole of said battery to a terminal ring or piece 44. A relay or circuit breaker 45 is interposed in connection 42 and when energized operates said switch 39 into an open position to disable the ignition circuit. The rings 4| and 44 are arranged in chamber 23 in spaced insulated relation with each other. Thus with the container I9 disposed in an upright position the circuit 38 is inactive.

When the car overturns or turns on its side the mercury 21 is discharged into chamber 23 and upon coming in contact with rings 4| and 44 completes the circuit 38. This energizes the relay or circuit breaker 45 which operates switch 39 into open position and interrupts the ignition circuit, so that the car cannot be operated when returned to upright position. The switch 39 can be restored to normal position either manually, by a handle 46, shown in Figure 1, or automatically, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this form the circuit 38a is provided with relay or circuit breaker 41 which is similar to relay 46 but operates in one direction a pair of coacting switches 48 and 49. These switches are so arranged that when one switch is open the other one is closed. A relay or circuit breaker 50 is arranged in opposed relation to relay 41 and operates said switches 48 and 49 in an opposite direction.

Switch 49 is interposed in connection l6 and controls the ignition circuit, and switch 48 is arranged in a connection 5| of secondary circuit 52 and controls the relay 50. Connection 5| is connected to the negative pole of battery I8 (in the instant case by means of a connection 40a of circuit 38a) and to one terminal of relay 50. The other terminal of said relay is connected by a connection 54 to one of the contacts of a double pole ignition switch 55. The diametricaL- ly opposite contact 01' this switch is connected by a wire 56 to the positive pole of said battery. In the instant case wire 50 is connected to a connection lia which extends from the positive pole of the battery to one of the main contacts of said switch 55. The other main contact is diametrically oposed to the contact of connection I61: and is connected by a connection |6b to switch 49. A movable contact arm 51 is operated to close the connection either between the stationary contacts of auxiliary circuit 52 or between the contacts of the main ignition circuit. The switch 55 may be of the usual type used for ignition circuits and adapted to be operated by the insertion of a key into a suitable tumbler lock mechanism.

The ignition circuit is controlled in the usual manner, arm 51 being moved into the position shown in full lines in Figure 9 to close the circuit, and into the position shown in dotted lines to open said circuit. Under normal conditions, switch 49 remains closed, while switch 48 remains open, and the ignition circuit is energized as shown in heavy lines in Figure 9.

When the car upsets or turns on one side, the mercury 21 runs from the lower chamber 2| of the container l5 into the upper chamber 28. This breaks the connection between contact members 24 and 25 and opens the ignition circuit, The mercury in upper chamber 23 establishes the connection between rings 4| and 44 and completes the auxiliary circuit 380, which in turn energizes relay 41. This relay operates switches 48 and 49 into the position shown in Figure 10, wherein switch 48 of circuit 52 is closed, and switch 49 of the ignition circuit is opened.

Thus, even after the car is righted and mere cury 21 returned into lower chamber 2| into engagement with contacts 24 and 25, the ignition circuit will be disabled by virtue of the fact that switch 49 has been opened. The ignition circuit will remain disabled until a key is inserted into switch 55 and the arm 5'! moved from on position to "ofi" position. When in the off position the arm 51 closes the gap between connections 54 and 5B and completes the circuit 52, thereby energizing relay 50.

The energization of the latter restores switch 49 into a closed position and simultaneously operates switch 48 into an open position to interrupt the circuit 52 of said relay 59. The ignition circuit can now be completed in the usual manner by moving the arm-51 into the on position.

To sum up, the ignition circuit includes three switches or points of interruption, two of which, I5 and 59, remain closed under normal conditions, while switch 55 is used to control the ignition circuit. The auxiliary circuits 38a and 52 remain open under normal conditions and do not interfere with the ignition circuit. In case of accident, the ignition circuit is opened between contacts 24 and 25 and the circuit 380 is closed between contacts 4! and 44. Switch 49 is opened and switch 48 closed by relay 41. Thus the ignition circuit is opened at two points in spite of the fact that the ignition switch arm 51 remains in on or closing position. After the car is returned to normal position, circuit 98a is open and the contact reestablished between members 24 and 25 of the ignition circuit. However, the latter remains inoperative due to the fact that switch 49 is opened. To restore the ignition circuit it is necessary to operate the switch 55 to oi! position. In this position member 51 closes the connection between connections 56 and 54, switch 48 being closed, the circuit 52 is completed, and relay 50 operated to open switch 48 and close switch 49, thereby permanently opening circuit 52 and restoring ignition circuit 40 to normal. Preferably relay or coil 41 is more powerful than relay or coil 50 so that in case of an accident the ignition switch 55 is turned to "oil position and circuit 52 closed, relay 41 will overcome relay 50 and maintain switch 49 of the ignition circuit in open position.

The provision of the two auxiliary circuits 38a and 52 adds to the safety by maintaining the ignition circuit interrupted even after the car resumes its normal position. It also prevents the restoration of the ignition circuit to normal accidentally or by unauthorized persons.

The device is simple in construction and operation, is inexpensive, and will safeguard the lives as well as property in case oi an accident.

While I have disclosed herein the preferred embodiment of my device, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described, as the same may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In an emergency cut-out for automobile 18- nition circuits the combination of a pear-shaped vertically disposed container of insulating material having the upper end enlarged in diameter, a pair of stationary contact members disposed in spaced insulated relation with each other in the chamber formed in the lower end of said container, a conducting liquid filling the chamber in said lower end and completing the electric connection between said contacts, and a wire connecting each contact member with one of the terminals of an ignition circuit, said conducting liquid being completely discharged from said lower chamber into said large chamber when said container is tilted a sufflcient degree from its normal vertical position to cause the liquid to flow into said enlarged end and out of engagement with said contacts.

2. In an emergency cut-out for automobile ignition circuits comprising the combination of a pear-shaped vertically disposed container of insulating material having its lower end formed with a chamber which is of comparatively small cross sectional area and having its upper end formed of comparatively large cross sectional area, a pair of stationary contact members arranged in said lower chamber in insulated spaced relation with each other, a wire connection extending from each contact member, a conducting liquid in said lower chamber and engaging said contact members to complete the electric connection therebetween, said liquid being displaceable from said lower chamber into said larger chamber when said container is tilted a predetermined degree from its normal vertical position, and a horizontally disposed disk arranged in the upper end of said lower chamber to prevent splashing of said liquid therein, said disk being of smaller diameter than the upper end of said lower chamber to provide a clearance through which said liquid can drain from one chamber to another.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a pear-shaped vertically disposed member of insulating material, a pair of spaced insulated contacts arranged in the lower end of said member, awire connection leading from each contact, a conducting liquid body disposed in the lower end of said member in engagement with said contacts, said liquid body being displaceable from engagement with one of said contacts when said member is moved from its normal vertical position, and a horizontally disposed disk arranged in the lower half of said member to prevent splashing of said liquid, said disk being pro vided with openings .to allow. the liquid to flow past said disk from one end to the other.

4. In a device of the class described the combination of a pear-shaped hollow member of insulating material, a pair of main spaced contacts in the lower end of said member, an ignition circuit connected in series to said contacts, a conducting liquid body in said tubular member engaging said main contacts and completing said ignition circuit when said member occupies upright position, a pair of auxiliary spaced ring con- 4 amazes tacts in the enlarged portion of the upper end of said member engageable by said conducting liquid body when said member is tilted, an auxiliary circuit connected in series to said auxiliary contacts, a relay in said auxiliary circuit, and a switch in said ignition circuit normally held closed and operable by the energization of said relay into open position whereby the tilting of said tubular member and the incidental closing of said auxiliary circuit opens said switch in said ignition circuit, and manually operated means for closing said switch.

5. In a device of the class described the combination of a pear-shaped hollow member of insulating material, a pair of main spaced contacts in the lower restricted end of said member, an ignition circuit connected in series to said contacts, a conducting liquid body in said tubular member engaging said main contacts and completing said ignition circuit when said member occupies upright position, a pair of auxiliary spaced ring contacts inthe upper bulbous end 01 said member engageable by said conducting liquid body when said member is tilted, an auxiliary circuit connected in series to said auxiliary contacts, a relay in said auxiliary circuit, a switch in said ignition circuit operable by said relay when energized into open position whereby the tilting of said tubular member and the incidental closing of said auxiliary circuit opens said switch in said ignition circuit, and manually operable means for closing said switch in said ignition circuit.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of a hollow bulbous member of insulating material, a pair of main spaced contacts in the lower end of said member, an ignition circuit connected in series to said contacts, a conducting liquid body in said tubular member engaging said main contacts and completing said ignition circuit when said member occupies upright position, a pair of auxiliary spaced ring contacts in the enlarged upper end of said member engageable by said conducting liquid body when said member is tilted, an auxiliary circuit connected in series to said auxiliary contacts, a relay in said auxiliary circuit, and a switch in said ignition circuit manually operable into closed position and operable by the energized relay into open position whereby the tilting of said tubular member and the incidental closing of said auxiliary circuit opens said switch in said ignition circuit.

'7. In a device of the class described the combinaton of a pear shaped hollow member 01' insulating material, a pair of main spaced contacts in the lower end of said member, a main circuit connected in series with said contacts, a conducting liquid body in said tubular member engaging said main contacts and completing said main circuit when said member occupies upright position, a pair of auxiliary spaced contacts in the enlarged upper end of said hollow member and engageable by said conducting liquid when said tubular member is tilted, an auxiliary circuit connected in series with said auxiliary contacts, a relay in said auxiliary circuit energizable by the latter, a main switch in said main circuit operable by said energized relay into open position whereby the tilting of said tubular member and the incidental closing of said auxiliary circuit opens said main circuit, a second auxiliary circuit, a relay in said last mentioned circuit arranged in cooperative relation with said main switch, and a switch in said second auxiliary circuit for closing the same and energizing said relay to bring said main switch into closing position.

8. In a device of the class described the combination of an elongated tubular member of insulating material, a pair of main spaced contacts in the lower end of said member, a main circuit connected in series with said contacts, a conducting liquid body in said tubular member engaging said main contacts and completing said main circuit when said member occupies upright position, a pair of auxliary spaced contacts in the upper end of said tubular member engageable by said conducting liquid when said tubular member is tilted, an auxiliary circuit connected in series with said auxiliary contacts, a relay in said auxiliary circuit energizable by the latter, a main switch in said main circuit operable by said energized relay into open position whereby the tilting of said tubular member and the incidental closing of said auxiliary circuit opens said main circuit, a second auxiliary circuit, a relay in said last mentioned crcuit arranged in cooperative relation with said main switch, a switch in said second auxiliary circuit for closing the same and energizing said relay to bring said main switch into closing position, and an auxiliary switch in said second auxiliary circuit oper able by said second relay in conjunction with said main switch to open said second auxiliary circuit simultaneously with the closing of the main switch by said ignition circuit.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hollow pear-shaped member of insulation material, a pair of spaced contacts fixed in the lower restricted end of said member and adapted to be connected in series with the ignition circuit of an automobile, a pair of spaced ring contacts arranged in the widest part of the upper bulbous end of said member and adapted to be connected in series with an auxiliary circuit, and a body of mercury in said pear-shaped member closing the gap between the main circuit contacts when said member occupies upright position and adapted to move into said bulbous portion to close the gap between said ring contacts when said member is tilted a predetermined dr gree.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hollow pear-shaped member of insulation material, an ignition circuit, a pair of spaced contacts fixed in the lower restricted end of said member and connected in series with said ignition circuit, an auxiliary circuit, an electromagnet in said auxiliary circuit, a pair of spaced ring contacts arranged in the widest part of the upper bulbous end of said member and connected in series with said auxiliary circuit, a body of mercury in said member closing the gap between the ignition circuit contacts when said member occupies upright position and adapted to move into said bulbous portion to close the gap between said ring contacts and close said auxiliary circuit when said member is tilted a predetermined degree, and a switch in said ignition circuit, said switch being manually operable into a closed position and being operable by the energization of said electromagnet into open position.

' CARL A. GRIESEDIECK. 

